As the old year ended, I finished my Autumn painting, and Malcolm Burn passed away. He was my art tutor in Scarborough over 25 years ago, and we had kept in touch. Aged 90, he was still giving encouragement, support and constructive criticism to his old students. I miss him, but I am glad I knew him.
(PS. This painting is currently exhibited in Coast Gallery, Cloughton.)

Lythe Beck, near Grosmont, North Yorkshire. Down through a friend’s wood, to the little stream.
The first one was painted from memory.

No 1


The second looking at a photograph. (Mostly oak and ash, so not as orange as portrayed, but that’s artistic license…)

No 2


And the third informed by the second one.

No 3

If you bought one of my paintings this year, thank you!
I’ve prepared a limited edition surprise for you, so please tell me which painting you bought, message me your postal address, and I will post it to you.

If you would prefer not to give me your address, just tell me the title of the painting and your name, and I could leave your gift in the gallery where you bought the painting.

Please let me know by 1st December. Again, thank you!

Rosedale has a rich historical and industrial past, the remains of which are not ugly scars on the landscape but rather add to its majestic beauty. There are traces from the Iron Age, medieval records of ironstone industry from the 12/13th century, the remains of a priory, through to French glass makers in the late 16th century, the Rosedale branch of the North Eastern Railway, completed in 1861, and the single track to the East mines in 1865. The decline in ironstone production led to the closure of the mines by 1926, and the end of the railway line by 1929… In August the moors are clothed in a cloak of purple heather…These paintings are currently exhibited in Coast Gallery, Cloughton.

One of Rosedale’s rounded hills, the result of geological processes and erosion.

The trace of the East branch of the old railway line, with the remains of a brick built water tank.

Chimney Bank, possibly the steepest road in England? Showing the old kilns at the top, And White Horse Farm Pub below. NB. Now sold.


And here is the latest one, nearly dry.

Nothing new to show yet, as I’m currently working on 3 new paintings of Rosedale. It takes me about a month to finish a painting, working in oil paint, in layers so the colours don’t get muddied… So here’s one from a few years ago.


I’ve loved being on Sandsend beach this summer…


Loftus has been good too. Paul Miller told me about a poppy field he could see from across the valley, and he sent me a photo so I could find it. His photograph inspired this painting (now sold), a visit to the field, and more paintings of poppies…

Thank you to all who came to see Ailsa and me (and all the other artists!) at Staithes Art Festival. As always there was a very good atmosphere, hundreds of artists and thousands of art lovers, mostly sunny, with a few showers only to give us stunning rainbows. The volunteers who organise the festival deserve great praise.

Staithes Art Festival is happening this weekend. I’m sharing a space with Ailsa Nicholson, a fabulous fused glass artist and a very good friend. If you’re in North Yorkshire, do pop in.

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